IO Tapestry

Astronomy Tapestry

IO
Jupiter’s fifth moon, Io, is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. Io has more than 400 active volcanoes with average height of 6km on its surface. Plumes of sulfur spew upward as high as 300 kilometers. The surface of Io is splotched with lava lakes and floodplains of liquid rock. Io's atmosphere is made primarily of sulfur. Temperatures on Io vary from extremely hot to extremely cold. Areas which feature volcanic activity can reach temperatures of over 2000C, away from these areas however will see temperatures plunge to -143C. Io is subjected to tremendous tidal forces. which cause Io's surface to bulge up and down (or in and out) by as much as 100 m. As Jupiter rotates, it takes its magnetic field around wi...